Overview of Indian Uranium Production Scenario in Coming Decades

Abstract

Abstract India's atomic energy programme, in spite of opportunities for import of fuel shall continue to prefer the ideal path of generating power using indigenous uranium. In the last four decades, the Indian uranium industry has established mining and processing capacity of 5,500 tpd ore which is likely to go up to 12,000 tpd by 2015. The grade of uranium ore in India being low, inevitable efforts to mine and process progressive lower grade ore does not record matching rise in uranium production capacity. The SE part of Cuddapah basin is likely to draw greater attention for mining of carbonate hosted rock in coming decade. Successful implementation of indigenously developed processing technology at Tummalapalle holds the key for larger expansion programme of uranium production capability in this area. Further e xpansion of uranium production capacity shall greatly depend on the progress made on mining and processing of ore reserves in Northern part of Cuddapah basin (Andhra Pradesh) lying in environmentally sensitive regions and sandstone hosted deposits of Meghalaya around Kyelleng Pyndengsohiong. The technologies to mine thin and low grade ore, benchmark of zero discharge, higher and purer product recovery, disposal and management of large tailings, public perception on uranium mining, availability of skilled manpower etc are expected to be the major challenges for indigenous uranium production scenario in coming decades.